Run with the Wind – Capital 10-Miler – a Run for the Arts

The Capital 10-Miler – a Run for the Arts is one of my favorite races. Often called a rite of Spring by runners in this area, the race is in it’s 14th year. I’ve directed six of them and have run it a number of times. The timing on the calendar is great as it’s perfect as a tune-up two or three weeks before Boston and a number of other marathons scheduled in mid to late April.

There is always something new with the race and this year it was the addition of a labeled brew for the Capital 10-Miler. Courtesy of ZeroDay Brewing, the can was designed by Sprocket. Runners of legal age received a can along with their finisher medal. (Photos courtesy Leslie Budd Marshall, Adriane Alice, Ashley Hill and Dan Krovich.)

This year we were unable to use the beautiful Greenbelt section of the course. Blame man and nature. Construction near the Greenbelt has a section closed, and insult to injury heavy rains pre-race week brought river levels to a point where we couldn’t use some portions of the lower level of the Riverfront path.

So, yet a new configuration of the 10-mile course. We started with temperatures in the mid-40’s, but 17-mph wind from the northwest made it feel much colder. Kudos to those who ran in singlets and running bras. I was really feeling the chill and ran wrapped up in a medium-weight jacket.

The course took us across the walking bridge, then upriver to the Harvey Taylor Bridge where we crossed to the West Shore. Then, we tunneled our way underneath and back again to the river’s East Shore and up the Riverfront path a couple of miles to a turnaround and back again.

The wind was tough, but it felt great on my back on the return, with the exception of Mile 7 returning across the river. I could feel my body nearly bouncing off the barricade as the wind came rolling down the river.

I finished in 1:37:49 with a 9:47 pace. As always a well-organized race by Race Director Brad Garfinkel and a cadre of new and veteran volunteers, including those from numerous participating nonprofit arts organizations and Fleet Feet Running. And congratulations to overall first finishers Fred Joslyn (57:07) and Joanna Hayes (1:04:56), and first Masters Paul Hayes (58:35) and Sara Parker (1:15:22). The race offered first place winners $100 cash and Masters winner received $50 gift certificates from Inside Track.

The Capital 10-Miler does awards in 5-year age groups up through age 80+. This year, runners from age 14 through age 84 completed the course. This is a competitive race, yet fun and such a great group of runners. Come join us in 2025.

I’ll be looking forward to Year 15. In the meantime, it’s off to Boston.